Hypodermic syringe assembly



Patented Aug. 19, 1952 OFFICE Frank E. Brown, Burbank, Califl, assignor to Frederick M. Turnbull, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application December 24, 1948, SerialNo. 67,108

15 Claims. (Cl. 128218) Among the objects of my invention are the provision of an assembly for the hypodermic injection of medicament and which is usable by a doctor or by a patient preferably only once; the

provision of a unit which is ready for immediate use with a predetermined amount of a specified ,medicament and a sterilized needle, so that no sterilization of the unit or the parts of the assembly is necessary prior to its utilization; the provision of a unit with a predetermined quantity of a specified medicament usable only once, so that all possibility of contamination by use upon a former patientis eliminated; and the provision of a syringe which maintains a measured amount of a medicament sealed from and free of any contamination prior to its utilization.

With these and other objects in mind, reference is had to the attached sheet of drawings illustrating practical embodiments of the invention and in which Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional side view of one form of the invention; j

Fig. '2 is a similar view with the plunger installed upon the primary piston and the syringe ready for use;

Fig. 3 shows the parts in the positions occupied after the expulsion of the medicament from the syringe;

Figs. 4 and 5 are transverse sectional views taken as indicated by the lines 4-4 and 5-5 of Fig. 2; 1

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical'sectional view of an alternative embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by the line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a second alternative embodiment of my invention; and A Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by the-line 9-9. of Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawing, which is for illustrative purposes only, thenumeral II indicates a syringe barrel provided with a bore 12 forming a chamber or reservoirfor, a medicament. V The bore I2 extends through one end of the barrel I I, and the other end'of the barrel I I is provided with a reduced portion I3 through which there extends a discharge passage I4. A hollow hypodermic needle I5 may be fixedly mounted in the discharge passage I 4. v I v Indicated by the numeral I6 is a primary piston which is slidable in the bore I2 of the barrel I I. The primary piston I6 includes annular ribs I'I engaging the wall of the bore I2 and separated by an annular channel l8.

Also slidably disposed Within the bore I2 of the barrel II is an auxiliary piston I9, likewise provided with annular ribs 20 engaging the wall of the bore I2 and separated by an annular channel 2|. The reduced portion I3 is provided with a threaded boss 22 upon which a plunger 23 may be mounted. The plunger 23 includes a cavity 24 for the reception of the needle I5 and inwhich the needle I5 is hermetically sealed when the plunger 23 is threaded upon the boss 22. 'The outer end of the-plunger 23 is provided with an annular flange 25 to facilitate its manipulation when the plunger 23 is removed from the boss 22 and threaded upon a threaded projection 26 secured to the outer end of the primary piston I6 as illustrated in'Fig.'2.

Formed in the wall of the bore I2 adjacent the reduced portion I3 of the barrel II are longitudinal grooves 21 illustrated as four in number. These grooves 21 communicate with the interior of the needle I5 through end grooves 28. Shoulders 29 are provided at the intersection of the grooves 21 and 28 adapted'for contact with'the auxiliary piston I9 in a manner to permit the passage of medicament around the auxiliary piston I9 through the grooves 21 and 28 and into the needle 15. .The pistons I6 and I9 are preferably made of a material difi'erent from the barrel II to avoid scoring or galling of the wall of the bore I2 by the movement of the pistons. Preferably the barrel is formed of a relatively nonelastic substance, such as methyl methacrylate, and the pistons I6 and. I9 are formed of a resilient material, such as polyvinyl chloride. The plunger is preferably formed of a comparatively nonelastic materiaLsuch as polystyrene.

In the annular channels l8 and 2| of the pistons I6 and I9 there is contained an inertpermanently viscous material,-such as polyethylene, which acts as a lubricant and sealing medium for the wall of the bore I2 and'as a vapor sealer inhibiting the escape of the plasticizer and the moisture contained in the pistons I6 and I9.

From the foregoing and from an examination of Figs. 1 and 2 it will be apparent that a predetermined amount of a specified liquid medicament may be placed within the bore I2:of.the

barrel I I and sealed. from the atmosphere in the chamber between the primary and auxiliary. pistons I6 and I9; the'chamber being indicated by.

the numeral 30.

The frictional contact of the annular ribs I1 and 20 upon the pistons I6 and I9 Withthe Wall chamber 30 during its transportation and storage preliminary to use. The plunger 23 is threaded upon the boss 22 to hermetically seal the needle An annular flange 3: is provided upon the.

rearward end of the barrel ll to facilitate this manipulation of the plunger 23. During the exhaustion of the air from the barrel I I, the pistons l6 and I9 and the medicament .in the chamber 38 are moved forwardly of the barrel II, so'th'at I have provided a syringe adapted to contain a predetermined quantity of a specified medicament which can be used only once, so that all possibility of contamination by use upon a former patient is remedied; and that I have provided a unit that maintains a measured amount of a medicament sealed from and free of any contamination during its transportation and storage prior to its utilization; 5

While the embodiments of my invention hereinbefore illustrated and described are fully capatheadvantages.primarily stated, it will be understood that .my invention is not limited to the the grooves 27 are uncovered bytheauxiliary.

piston IS. The needle [5 is then inserted into the patient, and the further movement of the plunger 23 and primary piston l 6 discharges the medicament from the chamber 33;:around the auxiliary piston. [3 through the grooves 21 and 23 and through the needle-l5; the pistons 15 and i9 and the plunger 23 occupying the positions illustrated in Fig, 3 when the medicament has been expelled from the barrel H. I

The embodiment of my. inventionillustrated in Figs. 6 and '7, in which like numbers indicate the parts corresponding to those previously described, is the same as that previously described, exceptthatyginstead of grooves 21 and 2.3 being formed \in-thebarrel H; the barrel is provided with longitudinal ribs '32 short of its outer end and radial ribs 33 at its' outer .end. The ribs 32 and 33 are connected bya shoulder 34 upon which the outer end of the auxiliary piston 19 is seated in a manner to permit thepassage of the medicament from thechamber 30 around the ribs 32in passages. 35 existing by the deformation of the resilient auxiliary piston l9 around the ribs 32. a I

In that embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, in'which like numbers indicate the-parts corresponding to those previously described, there-iswprovided'at the outer end of the barrel H a plurality'of ribs illustrated as. four in number andindi'catedjby the numeral 36; These are similar to the-ribs 32 "of Figs. 6 and '7, except that they extend overa greater annular space within the barrel l I; 'These ribs36'are separated by longitudinal passages 31 which communicate with'the interior of the needle l5 through radial passages 38? formed within the outer end of the barrell I. The passages 31 and 38 are connected by an annular shoulder 39 which limits the forward. movementiof the auxiliary piston I9 to a position;permitting the medicament to be expelled from the chamber 30 around the auxiliary piston l9; through the passages Hand 38, and from the needle 15.

The embodiments of my invention illustrated in Figs. Band 7 and 8 and'9 are capable of use in the same manner as the embodiment illustrated inFig's. 1 to 5, inclusive, as previously desc'ribedLf 7 From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have by my invention provided a syringe unit l which is an attractive and inexpensive package for a medicament and which is usable by a doctor or by a patient only once; that I have provided .a syringe which is ready for immediate use with a predetermined amount of a specified medicament'and a sterilized needle, so that no sterilization of the syringe, its barrel, plunger, or needle is necessary prior to its utilization; that specific embodiments illustrated and described. but embraces all' modifications thereof coming within :the scope of the claims which follow.

I claim as my invention: 7

1. In a hypodermicsyringe, the combination of: a barrel having an orifice for the discharge of liquid therefrom; a primary piston movable'in and in sealing relationship with said barrel; and an auxiliary piston movable in and in sealing relationship with said barrel between said. primary piston and said orifice, and 'providingwith said primary piston and'said barrel a chamber for the reception of amedication, said chamber having adjacent its forward end passages whereby the medication may'pass :around said aux-j iliary piston for discharge through said orifice when said auxiliaryipiston .isat .the forward fend of said barrel, said passages being of 'a length greater than the axial length of said'auxiliary piston. i j

2. In a hypodermicsyringe, the combination of a barrel having an orifice for the discharge of liquid therefrom;.a primary piston movable in and in sealing, relationship with said barrel; an auxiliary piston movable in and insealing relationship with said barrel. between said primary piston and said orifice, andproviding with 7 said primary piston and said barrel achamber for the reception .of a medication, saidchan'lber having adjacent its forward end passages .whereby the medication may pass aroundsaid auxiliary piston for discharge through saidorifice of liquid therefrom; a primary resilient plastic piston movable in and in sealing relationship with said barrel; an auxiliary resilient plastic piston movable inand' in sealing relationship with said'barrel between said "primary piston and said orifice, and providing with said primary piston and said barrel a chamber for the reception of a medication, said chamber having. adjacent its forward end passages whereby the medi-' cation may pass around said auxiliary piston for" discharge through said orifice when said aux-Q iliary piston is at the forward end of saidbarrel,

said passages being of'a length greater. than the axial length of said auxiliary piston, each of :said pistons having an annular groovethereim-and a viscous non-toxic material filling said grooves and in sealing relationship with said barrel and inhibiting the escape of. moisturefrom said.

pistons.

4. In a hypodermic syringe, the combination of: a barrel having an orifice for the discharge of liquid therefrom; a primary resilient piston movable in and in sealing relationship with said barrel, and an auxiliary resilientpiston movable infand in sealing relationship "with said barrel between said primary piston and said orifice, and providing with said primary piston and said'barrela chamber for the reception of a medication, said chamber having adjacent its forward end ribs deforming said auxiliary piston whereby the medication may pass around saidauxiliary piston for discharge through" said orifice :when said auxiliary piston is at the forward end of said barrel, said ribs being of a length greater than the axial length of said auxiliary piston.

5. In a hypodermic syringe, the combination of: a barrel having an orific for the discharge of liquid therefrom; ahollow needle mounted on said barrel and communicating with said orifice; a rplunger secured to said barrel and having a chamber receiving said needle and maintaining it aseptic; a primary piston movable in and in sealing relationship with said barrel; .an auxiliary piston movable in and in sealing relationship with said barrel between said primary piston and said orifice, and providing with said primary piston and said barrel a chamber for the reception of a medication, said chamber having adjacent its forward end passages whereby the medication may pass around said auxiliary piston for discharge through said orifice when said auxiliary piston is at the forward end of said barrel, said passages being of a length greater than the axial length of said auxiliary piston; and means on said primary piston for the attachment of said plunger thereto.

6. In a syringe assembly in combination a body provided with a bore to receive liquid, said body being formed with a by-pass extending axially of said bore and adjacent one end of the latter, a stopper-piston disposed within said bore in advance of said by-pass to confine liquids within said bore and to the rear of its body, the width of said stopper being less than th length of said by-pass whereby as said stopper is shifted within said bore to a position in line with said bypass the ends of the latter will be exposed to provide a passage for the flow of liquid past said stopper.

'7. In a syringe assembly in combination a body provided with a bore to receive liquid, said body being formed with a by-pass extending axially of said bore and adjacent one end of the latter, a stopper-piston disposed within said bore in advance of said by-pass to confine liquids within said bore and to the rear of its body, the width of said stopper being less than the length of said by-pass whereby as said stopper is shifted within said bore to a position in line with said by-pass the ends of the latter will be exposed to provide a passage for the flow of liquid past said stopper and a second piston-stopper disposed within said bore to the rear of said first named stopper to shiftthrough pressure exerted upon the intervening liquid bodysaid first named stopper.

8. A hypodermic unit including a body formed with an open end, a by-pass adjacent its opposite end and a bore extending uninterruptedly between said open end land Toy-pass, said bore embracing a single compartment to receive and re tain liquid through a zone extending from a point adjacent the open end of said bore to a point adjacent said by-pass and said bore at a [point in advance of said by-pass presenting a mounting 62 surface to i sealingly and slidably support a stopperi" "I '9. 'A hypodermic unit including a-body formed with open end, aby-pass adj acent its opposite end and: a bore extending uninterruptedly between said-open endand .byspass; said bore em-v bracing a single compartment to receive and re:- tain liquid through a zone-extending from a point adjacent the open end of said bor to a pointadjacent said'by-pass, said bore at a point in advance of said by-pass presenting a mounting surface to'sealingly slidably support a stopperand the lengtlroisaidby-pass being greater than a stopper so supported. I I

10. A hypodermic unit including a body formed with an open end, an end wall defining a discharge passage at the opposite end of the body, said body presenting a. bore extending between its opposite ends, a by-pass formed in the inner face of the end wall and. in the bore area adjacent thereto, said bore embracing a single compartment to receive and retain liquid through a zone extending from a point adjacent its open end to a point adjacent said by-pass and said bore at a point in advance of said by-pass presenting a mounting surface to sealingly and slidably support a stopper.

11. A hypodermic unit including a body formed with an open end, a lay-pass adjacent its opposite end and a bore extending uninterruptedly between said open end and by-pass, said by-pass comprising a section of said bore providing relatively raised and recessed portions, said bore embracing a single compartment to receive and retain liquid through a zone extending from a point adjacent the open end of said bore to a point adjacent said by-pass and said bore at a point in advance of said by-pass presenting a mounting surface to sealingly and slidably support a stopper.

12. A hypodermic unit including a body formed with an open end, a by-pass adjacent its opposite end and a bore extending uninterruptedly between said open end and by-pass, said by-pass comprising a section of said bore provided with an axially extending groove in its face, said bore embracing a single compartment to receive and retain liquid through a zone extending from a point adjacent the open end of said bore to a point adjacent said by-pass and said bore at a point in advance of said by-pass presenting a mounting surface to sealingly and slidably support a stopper.

13. A hypodermic unit including a body formed with an open end, a by-pass adjacent its opposite end and a bore extending uninterruptedly between said open end and by-pass, said by-pass comprising a rib forming a part of said body and extending inwardly of the bore face, said bore embracing a single compartment to receive and retain liquid through a zone extending from a point adjacent the open end of said bore to a point adjacent said by-pass and said bore at a point in advance of said by-pass presenting a mounting surface to sealingly and slidably support a stopper. 7

14. For use in a hypodermic syringe assembly a barrel formed with a bore and having an open rear end, a wall closing the opposite end of said bore and formed with an opening in line with which a needle is to be mounted, a rib adjacent the inner face of said wall and said rib extending in the direction of the open rear end of said barrel inwardly from the bore face.

15'. For use in a hypodermic syringe assembly erbrrelkfdrmdwith atbore zandihaving an open.

said wallendcsaidlgroove'extendingginthe direc-:

tion of the open. rear 'endrof "said barrel and in the 'face of said bare.

E. BROWN.=

REEERENCESECITED The following-references are of record in the file of this patenti- Number 8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date a Campbell I Jan; 2'7, 1903 Nevin May 16,- 1933 Hein. Oct. 3, 1933 Lozier et a1 Mar. 12,1940 Poux Nov, 9, 1948 Poux- Nov. 9, 1948 Poux Nov. 9, 1948 Scherer et a1. Jan. 25, 1949 Brown Apr. 17, 1951 FQREIGN PATENTS Germany July 15,1936 

